Surf sled



Oct 27, 1931. 1... H. BRIMHALL.

SURF SLED Filed Dec.

11, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet Tmm I nuentor l. @v'mZa/Z V A ilomey Oct. 27, 1931.

L. H. BRIMHALL SURF SLED Filed Dec. 1 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor HZ. 2771 aZZ A llomey Fatented Get. 27, 1931 a I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LEE BRIMHALL, F JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA soar SLED Application filed December 11, 1930; Serial No. 501,697.

This invention relates generally to aquatic Referring to the drawings in detail, it will amusement devices and more particularly to be seen that the reference numeral 1 desiga device of this character which is in the nates generally an elongated, substantially nature of a surf sled and has for its primary rectangular frame which includes the spaced,

object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter parallel, coextensive, longitudinal side bars set forth, a device of this character embody- 2 having upwardly turned forward end poring a novel construction and arrangement tions 3. Front and rear end cross bars 4 and of parts whereby sufficient buoyancy is had 5, respectively, extend between the side bars to support the weight of one or more persons 2 as do also the intermediate cross bars 6 10 on the surface of the water. and 7 the cross bar 7 being disposed adjacent Another object of the invention is to prothe upwardly curved forward end portions vide a device of the character described hav- 3 of the side bars 2 and said cross bar 7 being ing mounted thereon a pivoted blade or fin arcuated upwardly. It will thus be seen that for engagement by the water for propelling the frame 1 is divided into series of cells or 15 the device with a current or flow of water compartments. when said device is headed in the direction Cork or other suitable buoyant material 8 of the current or. flow, said blade or head he is placed in the cells or compartments formed ing inoperative when the device is being by the frame 1 and said buoyant material is drawn through the water. preferably in a loose or ground condition 20 Another important object of the invention particularly in the two forward cells or comis to provide a surf sled embodying a conpartments. Sheets of canvas 9 and 10 are struction whereby the same may be used as an tightly stretched and secured over the upper aqua-plane should it be so desired by simand lower sides, respectively, of the frame 1, ply attaching the same to a power boat or said canvas bemg painted or otherwise suit- 25 the like. ably treated to resist the action of the water.

Other objects of the invention are to pro- As clearly seen in the drawings and in Figure vide a surf sled of the character set forth 4: thereof in particular, the forward portion which will be simple in construction, strong, of the device, inaddition to being curved updurable, efficient and reliable in use and which wardly, is arcuate in cross section due to the 0 may be manufactured at low cost. curvature of the cross bar 7 and the fact that All of the foregoing and still further obthe canvas is stretched tight on the frame. jects and advantages of the invention may Eye screws 11 are anchored in the forward become apparent from a study of the followend portions of the side bars 2 of the frame ing specification, taken in connectlon w th and secured to the said screws are the end 35 the accompanying drawings wherein llke portions of the rope or cable 12 which is characters of reference designate correspondtripped by the person riding the surf sled ing parts throughout the several views, and to manipulate the device and maintain a wherein balance.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the de- Eye screws 13 are also anchored in inter- 40 vice showing portion of the same broken mediate portions of the slde bars 2 of the away to more clearly disclose the construcframe 1 and secured thereto are the end portion and arrangement. tions of a towing or draft rope or cable 14 Figure 2 is a View in side tlevation of the which, if desired, may be secured to a power device. boat or the like for drawing the sled over 45 Figure 3 is a view in bottom plan of the the surface of the water as an aqua-plane. invention. The end portions of a substantially U- Figure 4: is a vertical cross sectional view shaped metallic frame 15 are pivotally setaken substantially on the line 44 of Figure cured as at 16, to the outer sides of the lon- 8 looking in the direction indicated by the gitudinal side bars 2 of the frame 1 at inter- 50 arrows. mediate portions of the side bars 2. A sheet f'surfjsled is riding breakers'ior in'a fcurrent ofwater and is headed in the (llIBCtlOIlOf blade or fin to swing rearwardly andupward ly toward the bottom of the surf sled but the forward swinging movement ofsaid blade or fin as also illustrated in Figure-2. if

The blade or fin may be removed When 1t is so desired and the same is used when the movement of thei' breakers of the current.

.bility thereto.

"The moving water willengage the bladeor f'fin and move the'sled forwardly as will be 'obvious' hen the surf sled is moving in a dlrection agalnstthe water or when the same is being drawn by a power boat,the blade or fin swings upwardly adjacent the bottom vof the sled. The upturnedforward end portion of the sledmaterially'reduces'resistance by the water; The arcuated crossse'ctional shape of the forward portion of 'the sledlends sta- 7 It is believed that the many advantages of a device in accordance with this invention fwillbe readily understood, and'although the "preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changesin the details of constructio may be had which' will fall'within the p scope of the invention as claimed.

' 7 What is claimed is :f

1 A surf sled of the character described intermediate portions frame,

substantially, U-shaped frame for engagement by the water for propelling the sled, and flexible straps secured, at one end, to the free end of the substantially U-shaped frame and at their other ends to the first named frame in a manner to limitthe swinging movement of theU-shaped frame. i

'3; A surf-sled of the character described comprising an elongated substantially rectangular frame having an upturned forward end portions, fabriccovers secured over the top and bottom of the frame, a buoyant filler disposed in the frame between the covers, a j; substantially U-sh-aped; metallic frame pivotallysecured to intermediate portions of the sides of the first named frameand disposed for swinging-movement therebeneath, a sheet of flexible material secured on the isubstantially'U shaped frame forengagementby the water for propelling the sled, and flexible straps secured, at one end, to the free end of the substantially U-sha'ped-frame and at their other ends to the first named frame in a manner to limit the swinging 'movement of; the U-shaped frame, eye screws anchored in the forward end portions of the first. named frame, a rope secured at itsends to the eye screws; and a rope secured at its ends to of the first named whereof I affix my signature.

In testimony i H. BRIMHALL;

comprising a frame including spaced, parallel, longitudinal side bars having'upwardly curved forward end portions,end cross bars extendin'gbetween the side bars, a pairof spaced, intermediate cross bars extending between the side bars,'one of said intermediate cross bars being arcuated upwardly and disposed adjacent the upwardly curved portions of theside bars, the intermediate cross bars dividing the frame into a series of compartments, waterproof fabric covers securedon the upper and'lower sides of the frame,

. and abuoyant filler disposed in the compart- Iment between the upper and lower covers.

' comprising an elongated substantially rec- 2. A surf sled of the character described,

' tangularframe having an upturned forward 7 end portlons, fabric covers secured' o'ver the 7 top and bottom of the frame, a buoyant filler disposed in the frame between thecovers, a I

' substantially U-shapedmetallic frame pivotally secured to intermediateportions of the sides of the first named; frame and disposed for swinging movement therebeneath,

a'sheet of flexible material securedoirthe ice 

